Primary Times Somerset Winter 2020

Family What’s On Guide

ISSUE 90, AUTUMN/WINTER 2020

Somerset

WHAT’S ON • ANTI-BULLYING • BOOK REVIEWS • NEWS

32,500 COPIES FOR FAMILIES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

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Autumn/Winter 2020

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in somerset Chinadale, Churchinford, Taunton, TA3 7PW Tel: 01823 601188 Fax: 01823 601199 email: primarytimes. eyrie@gmail.com Publisher/editor: Debbie Williams Design: Alan Williams Advertising: Alan Williams

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Primary Times is independently published, distributed free throughout primary schools in Somerset, and on sale via subscriptions at £10 per year. Its aims are to inform families and children of current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses, attractions etc. and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the contents of the magazine.

It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or political matter whatso-ever, nor to carry any advertising considered to be offensive to families.

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Please support them where you can.

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DISCLAIMER: All reasonable efforts have been taken to give accurate information and ensure any facts given are true to the best of our knowledge.

However, you should rely wholly on your own enquiries and take advice where appropriate.

Primary Times is currently publishing over 2,600,000 copies per issue under franchise license throughout 59 counties.

12 Dear Readers

In this issue

HeLLO again, long time no see! What an unbelievable time it has been — and still is. As you can see, we are back in a greatly reduced format.

Places are opening with careful precautions to keep everyone safe, which include needing pre-booked time slots.

Some are still holding events, including a few Hallowe’en ones, but safe distancing means room for less visitors, so it is advisable to book as early as you can.

We have listed as many events as we could find, but, as we are all aware, things can change with little notice so don’t go anywhere without checking it is still open. Hope you and your families are able to make the most of your time.

There are some COVID 19 related articles we hope you will find useful as well as a look at online bullying, one thing it sadly hasn’t stopped. Finally, Giles Adams, chair of Visit Somerset, reminds us how lucky we are to live in such a vibrant county.

Keep safe and we will see you next time.

04 sToP BullYiNG

Debbie Fam ily Wha

t’s On Guid

e

ISSUE 90,

Somerset - the great outdoors, the Chair of Visit Somerset takes a look at what there is to enjoy in Somerset. See page 8 I-BU LLYI NG

• BOOK REVI

EWS •

08 VisiT soMerseT

There is still much to enjoy in our home county.

10 THeATre

Children’s and family shows at a theatre near you.

12 BooKsTore

WINTER

14-15 NeWsBoArD

Information for parents, teachers and carers.

COVER:

WHAT’S ON • ANT

05-06 rouNDABouT

Your day by day family what’s on.

Great new reads.

Somerset

Circulation 32,830 Audited by BPA Worldwide August 2018

Anti-Bullying Week unites everyone who wants to stop a long-standing problem.

32,830 COPIES FOR FAMILI OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDR ES EN

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United against bullying You would hope one benefit of children being kept in their homes by the coronavirus virus is that they would feel safe from bullies, not coming into direct contact with them. However lockdown has increased daily online screen times.

Children are more exposed than ever to cyber threats: social media channels are growing in numbers and influence, screens are everywhere and people are spending an increasing amount of time on smartphones and tablets. With our cyber-lives taking up so much of our days, it comes as no surprise that cyberbullying is equally prevalent.

If your child has been having a hard time with a school bully, or you’ve been struggling with intimidation at work, a self-esteem boost is especially important. While many of us find it easier to project a confident persona online, the potential damage cyberbullying can bring can have a lasting effect on the self-esteem of those who experience it.

What is Online Bullying?

Cyberbullying is intentionally harming someone through aggressive, unkind acts through a screen. It can include sending emails, messages and tweets to threaten or upset the individual; posting doctored images on social media (or undoctored images with cruel comments, explicit or implied); online impersonation and identity theft; releasing personal information and other things the person wants to keep private; and “trolling” (consistently posting offensive or negative comments).

Some experts have suggested that ongoing bullying can sometimes be just as damaging as physical or emotional abuse in the home. Your self-esteem or your child’s self-confidence can really be damaged by the negative thoughts, diminished self-worth, feelings of inadequacy and self-blame that can occur as a result.

While a little screen time now and then is perfectly healthy (and often a necessity for those in lockdown), allocating time to other activities can help us avoid relying too heavily on the Internet for our entertainment.

The less time we spend online, the less access online trolls and bullies have to us. If we do end up receiving hurtful comments online, having a rich and fulfilling life outside of the Internet

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Autumn/Winter 2020

Help The National Bullying Helpline is a free, confidential helpline and information website covering all forms of bullying. Go to www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk for practical help and advice for children and adults dealing with bullying at school or work. There is also a helpline for children to phone and one and for parents whose children are being bullied.

Free Child Helpline: 0300 323 0169 Parent Helpline: 0845 225 5787

can make the opinions of faceless strangers seem less vital to our happiness.

It is worth noting that different people will have different ideas of what is and isn’t bullying. If you have a higher threshold for what you consider to be bullying, you may find yourself putting up with worse behaviours before putting your foot down. For example, you or your child may not consider just one hateful message enough to be considered “bullying”, but hate messages are a serious issue no matter how many are received.

Anti-Bullying Week This year’s Anti-Bullying Week takes

place on 16 to 20 November with the theme ‘United Against Bullying’.

Organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance it is intended to raise awareness of the issue of bullying among children.

Children and parents are encouraged to take part in activities that will help shine a light on the problem of bullying and ways to help resolve the issue.

Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it.

It is hoped by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together. Everyone has a part to play in coming together to make a difference.

The week starts on Monday with Odd Socks Day, a fun day where children and adults wear odd socks to school or work to celebrate what makes us all unique. Participating schools and workplaces can make a £1 donation, or any you think appropriate, to support the charity in continuing to coordinate the week every year, but this is not compulsory.

The main focus this time around is demonstrating different ways to support young people and provide an open platform for them to talk about any issues they have with bullying.

The main role for carers is creating a safe environment where young people can feel like they are able to talk about their feelings and problems and will receive support.

A number of lesson plans and activities can be downloaded at anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week making it part of classroom activities.

We take great care to ensure all this information is correct at the time of going to press. However at this time things are changing at short notice so it is important you check details before gong anywhere. Most places require you to pre-book a slot online anyway.

Continuing Until October 31

The Arborealists:Trees and Woodlands on Exmoor and Dartmoor’ Display of more than 50 artworks that transport you to the beautiful landscapes and ancient woodlands of these national parks. In the Museum of Somerset, Taunton. Visits need to be pre-booked.

Pumpkin Picking Pick a pumpkin ready for Hallowe’en at Farrington’s Home Farm, Main Street, Farrington Gurney. Carving tables will be set up ready for you to create any design you wish. This year it is ticketed and must be booked in advance, £5 per person. Call 01761 452266 for details or cancellations.

Until November 1

Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search Families can visit the Roman Baths in Bath to hunt for Wally amongst their collection, as well as spell out a spooky phrase with letters hidden alongside mini Wally standees, and receive a special “I found Wally!” bookmark. There will also be a chance to enter the Where’s Wally? and Kids in Museums grand prize draw competition to win an ArtFund Family Membership and a bundle of Where’s Wally? goodies.

Must be pre-booked.

Until November 21

Somerset Reaquainted Exhibition at Somerset Rural Life Museum bringing together digital imagery, film, writing and artist’s objects to offer an insight into the creative processes of more than 60 Somerset-based artists during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Until December 31

Outdoor Photography Exhibition Celebrate the SS Great Britain’s anniversary marking ‘50 Years Back Home in Bristol’ by exploring this free outdoor exhibition on Bristol’s harbourside. Enjoy Bristol’s harbourside and discover the ship’s story in this exhibition, depicting some of the most epic moments from her dramatic rescue and homecoming.

Until January 3

The Great Big Brick Safari Paignton Zoo is home to over 80 giant wild animal models made from thousands of LEGO bricks.

Visitors can follow the trail around the zoo. Some of the smaller brick models are located in the Animal Encounters theatre. There is a one-way route through this exhibit and guests will need to wear a face mask to enter (if they are able to).

Must be pre booked.

Until January 21

Tuning Up: Musical amusement in the Eighteenth Century Exhibition in No 1 Royal Crescent Bath. Menus need writing, instruments need tuning and decisions made about who will perform. Visit the house as it is revealed how from piano lessons to private concerts, the fashionable home in Georgian England was filled with music. Free with normal admission to the museum, must be prebooked. Details on 01225 428126.

October Friday 16 & Saturday 17

Pumpkin Patch Nights Take a trip to the gourd-geous Pumpkin Patch at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park with your friends and family for a socially distanced evening of fun. As well as pumpkin picking there are festival vibes with a pop up bar, firepits, street food, performers, spectacular seasonal entertainment and beautiful lighting. Open from 4 to 8pm, book an entrance time slot.

Artworks depicting landscapes and woodlands are at the Museum of Somerset until 31 October.

Pumpkin Patch Pick your own pumpkin at the festival at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park in a COVID Safe event. Entertainment includes fair rides, Pumpkin Paintball and Pumpkin Slingshot. From 11am to 4pm, £3, under 2s free. Book and entrance time slot.

Sunday 18

Toy & Train Collectors Fair Over 300 stalls at the Bath and West Showground. From 10.30am to 2.30pm, £4. Details on 01373 452857.

Apple Day A family fun day at Somerset Rural Life Museum celebrating this much loved fruit. Meet an orchard expert and learn all about apples and watch apple pressing demonstrations. Children can explore the museum following the apple trail and there will be plenty of opportunity to get creative with apple-themed arts and crafts.

Numbers are limited, pre-booked time slots must be booked online or on 01458 831197.

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18

Pumpkin Patch Puxton Park in Hewish is opening its Pumpkin Patch for family fun in the great outdoors with thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes to be picked. Visitors can then visit the adventure park where they can paint their pumpkin for free.

Friday 23 - Saturday 31 Pumpkin Patch Nights As October 16 & 17.

Saturday 24 - November 1 Coplestone and the Peculiar Potions

Wednesday 21 - Nov 2 Squirrels and Leaves

Saturday 17 - Nov 1

Hallowe’en displays in Bristol Since Hallowe’en won’t be the ‘normal’ trick or treat experience this year, this trail allows Hallowe’en lovers to get their fill. See which houses have been decorated — if you dare.

a group of penguins visiting from the Falkland Islands, where the ship lay abandoned until 1970.

Stanley and his friends have come to find out more about the ship’s homecoming to Bristol 50 years ago, but they’ve been enjoying their visit so much that they’ve lost their eggs! Set off on the Penguin Trail and search the ship and dockyard to help reunite the penguins with their precious chicks. Tickets must be pre booked online.

All the family can explore the 14 acres of the Bishop’s Palace Gardens while following the family trail.

When finished, little ones can enjoy playing in The Dragon’s Lair natural play area. Pick up a trail from the Shop or download from the Palace website, and head off together on an autumn adventure. Open from 10am to 4pm.

Thursday 22 - Nov 1

Penguin Trail Help Stanley and his friends find their eggs. Waddle on over to Brunel’s SS Great Britain and meet

Children aged 3 and above can join the intrepid Coplestone on a Hallowe’en walk through Hestercombe Gardens as they keep an eye out for the special ingredients needed to complete his mother’s mysterious potion – from sweet honeycomb near the Hestercombe beehives, to a suspicious pink liquid by the Witch’s Hut. When finished go to the plant centre for a Hallowe’en reward. Normal admission plus £1 per trail.

Focusing on keeping visitors and staff safe, there are limited capacity times slots to be booked online. It will be closed on the Monday and Tuesday.

Pumpkin Patch As October 17 & 18.

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and join the Exmoor ponies in discovering the Wildlife at Night on Exmoor. Family friendly event to inspire everyone to engage in their local wildlife. Hot chocolate and marshmallows available and an opportunity to interact with the ponies. Must be pre-booked, adults £4, children £3.

Spook Fest

Thursday 29

Hallowe’en Activity Afternoon Follow the spooky Hallowe’en trail at Exmoor Pony Centre and claim your treat. You can also enjoy pony rides, pony grooming, crafts and games. From 12 to 3pm, must be booked in advance.

Join the witches in the wilderness at Crealy and get a free pumpkin.

Resident witches all tell their funny stories and cast some spooky spells. Follow the trail and be nice to the ones you meet - they might give you a Hallowe’en treat. Plus: the witches have cast a spell on some of the pumpkins across the park and they are singing spooky songs; take a journey through the interactive Scarecrow Scare Maze; watch Tik and Toks Terrifying Tricks in their Hallowe’en show and enjoy the Scare Bear Show on the Piazza stage.

Friday 30

Meet Birds of Prey

Sunday 25

Don’t forget to put your clocks back!!

Wednesday 28

Meet Rescue Animals Rescue animals from Second Chance Petting Farm including a donkey, sheep and goats will be at the Rural Life Museum. See them and enjoy a special themed trail around the museum. Numbers limited, pre book a time slot for arrival online or on 01458 831197.

Roll a Beeswax Candle Families can learn how to turn a beeswax candle into a traditional shape including the wick from real beeswax sheets, then make a badge. From 11am to 1pm in Glastonbury Abbey Museum.

Wednesday 28 & Thursday 29 Wildife at Night Go to Exmoor Pony Centre

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Friday 6

Fireworks to Music Popular event at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park with a reduced capacity to help with social distancing guidelines. Aardvark FX provide pyrotechnics and special effects. Tickets in advance only.

Saturday 7

Best of the Best Bridgwater Carnival would have taken place tonight, but as it has been postponed the organisers are showing a live selection of the best entries since 1982 on their website. See Newsround pages for details.

Friday 13 - Sunday 15

Antique & Collectors Fair Unique finds, retro collectables and variety of vintage items at the Bath and West Showground. From 9am to 5pm (9am to 1pm on Friday).

Friday 20 - January 3

Winter Wonderland A full day of festive fun at Wookey Hole Caves with over 20 attractions in the one ticket. Meet the wonderful wizard after Christmas who will be meeting and greeting visitors. The caves will be illuminated with Christmas characters on your magical tour; the Christmas Circus show will feature trapeze, hula, juggling and magic and the 4D cinema will be showing ‘Happy Feet’. Book online.

Hallowe’en Go to Wookey Hole and see the Witch in her Hallowe’en Grotto, where she’ll be mixing potions from her bubbling cauldron. You can also enjoy the new Ghost Train with creepy characters and eerie surprises around every corner.

Pumpkin Fest Follow a Pumpkin themed trail at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. Enjoy yummy treats and buy a zoo-grown pumpkin, must be booked online.

Get your crafty side ready and take part in the social media Pumpkin Carving Competition for a chance to win a prize.

November

Visit the Rural Life Museum and meet the birds of prey from Pitcombe Rock Falconry. Find out about the different birds on display and learn about the incredible skills and abilities that make them some of the most powerful predators on Earth. Then take part in a special themed trail around the museum.

Numbers limited, pre book a time slot for arrival online or on 01458 831197.

Pipe Cleaner Bouncy Spider Family activity twisting pipe cleaners into spiders. From 11am to 1pm in Glastonbury Abbey Museum.

Thursday 26 - Sunday 29

Panto at the Palace The Bishop’s Palace in Wells is welcoming a Christmas Pantomime with a twist. In “Build Your Own: Improvised Panto” the audience gets to determine key elements of the show such as the characters, the setting, and the celebrity guests – and the actors will create a unique show that’s guaranteed to be a bundle of laughs. Shows at 7pm matinees at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, tickets £15, book online.

Saturday 28 eat:Taunton

Hallowe’en Spooktacular Over 50 stallholders showcasing the best products, designs, art and more. From 10am to 4pm in Wells Town Hall, Market Place, free entry.

Gin, Gift & Food Christmas Fair Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season and indulge in a spot of festive shopping. With over 60 stands selling handmade gifts; locally produced festive foodie treats mulled cider and mince pies. There will also be local in suppliers and tastings, traditional Christmas carols and live performances. From 10am to 4pm in Woodlands Castle, Ruishton Lane, Taunton.

Saturday 28 - December 6 Christmas Tree Festival See beautifully decorated trees in Chard Museum.

Sunday 29

Giant Flea Market Over 250 inside and outside stalls, selling a plethora of items at the Bath and West Showground.

Doors open at 9.30am, adults £5, accompanied children free. Details on 01278 784912.

December Saturday 5

eat:Burnham-on-Sea As eat:Taunton on November 28, but in Burnham Town Centre.

Christmas Bazaar In East Huntspill Church Hall, Burnham-on-Sea.

Saturday 5 - Tuesday 22

Christmas at the Palace The rooms of the medieval Bishops Palace building will be festooned with decorations on a variety of themes, from medieval through to Victorian. The Entrance Hall will be warmed by a roaring fire, and seasonal greenery and foliage from the Palace Gardens will be used to create stunning adornments to complement the historic interiors.

Outside the Gardens will also be dressing up for Christmas with outdoor lighting and decorations in the formal gardens. There will be a Christmas-themed family trail taking visitors through the Palace and Gardens, leading to a traditional nativity scene at the end.

Wednesday 9

Winter Wednesday Over 50 stalls in Wells Town Hall, Market Place, for Christmas and gift inspiration. From 10am to 4pm, entry by donation for local charities.

Saturday 31

Wizard Adventure Weekend Get your wands at the ready and help in the search for the missing magic as you join the Grand Old School of Wizardry on the Avon Valley Railway. Board the train, meet the characters and enjoy the ride. For 5 year olds and above.

From 11am to 12.45pm and 2.45 to 5pm, adults £9, children £6.

Detail on 0117 9325538.

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29

Saturday 12

Enjoy local food and drink with over 90 producers in Hammet Street, Taunton. There will be a free cookery school and street entertainment on the lawns surrounding the site. From 10am to 4pm, go to www.eatfestivals.org/ christmas for details.

eat:Minehead As eat:Taunton on November 28, but in Minehead.

Sunday 13

Toy & Train Collectors Fair As October 18. eat:Weston-super-Mare As eat:Taunton on November 28, but in the Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare.

Wednesday 16

Blitzen’s Bazaar Over 60 stalls with gifts and treats in Wells Town Hall, Market Place.

From 10am to 4pm.

Tuesday 22

Horrible Christmas

Drive-in pantomime from the Horrible Histories team at the Bath and West Showground enabling families to enter into the festive spirit in a safe, socially distanced manner from the comfort of their own sleigh (car). When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas? Join in a hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas as they all join forces to save the festive season. At 2 and 5pm, tickets £47 per car, book on the Ticketmaster website.

Talking about Coronavirus to children In light of the current and developing situation and media coverage it is likely that some children and young people will be concerned and anxious.

This is reasonable, they will never have experienced something like this before and do not have the experience to know what may happen. It is important to talk to them to put their minds at ease. If you aren’t sure how to approach the subject here are some tips to help.

• Make your conversation factual, but adjust

them draw their ideas for you, if helpful.

the amount and detail as appropriate to the

• If they share worries or fears, show them that

age and development of your child. For older

you understand how they are feeling. Don’t try

and more mature young people it may be

to dismiss or minimise their fears.

helpful to guide them to the official websites and reliable news sources and share these with them to inform discussions.

• Keep to the facts and keep the conversation positive and supportive. Tell them that doctors and scientists are working on the treatments.

• Allow your child to ask questions – give them

Talk about what they can do to have some

space to do this and providing an answer can

control, for example focusing on good

help manage some worries. It is OK to say you

handwashing, using tissues etc.

don’t know, at the moment there are many questions about coronavirus we don’t have the answers to.

• Choose a good time for a discussion with the child when they are happy to talk and when you are not having to immediately rush onto other things.

• Ask them to share what they know already.

You will then know where to start the conversation.

• Younger children might understand a cartoon

• Make it clear that they can talk further with you if they have more questions or need more reassurance, and check in with them after a while to see how things are going.

• Try to manage your own worries. We can all feel anxious in times of uncertainty. Ensure you have other adults to talk to and activities you find calming.

• Aim to end the conversations with a comment, topic or activity that is calming and reassuring.

or picture more than a verbal explanation. Let Autumn/Winter 2020

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Somerset – The Great Outdoors!

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his year has reminded many about the beautiful world around us and how fresh air can really re-invigorate our senses and feelings of wellbeing.

Somerset has over 66 miles of coastline with an incredible variety along it. In the west, Porlock Weir, Watchet or Minehead have picturesque harbours with moored boats bobbing in the waves. A statue of the Ancient Mariner in Watchet harbour stands as a powerful acknowledgement

“As we peer towards 2021, we are sure that Somerset will continue to be a fun and varied place for families to enjoy.”

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Giles Adams, Chair of Visit Somerset, takes a look at how much Somerset has to offer local residents. of the literary talent of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Minehead also has a statue on the seafront, this one representing the start of the South West Coast Path – see more at www.visitsomerset.co.uk/ minehead. Stunning views and exercise, what could be better!

Further round the coast to the east are longer stretches of sand, especially from Burnham-onSea, Berrow and Brean. Autumn and winter walks enable plenty of running around and ideal for those families that include a dog

as an important member of the team! Somerset has a wide choice of dog-friendly beaches – check the list here www.visitsomerset. co.uk/discover-somerset/. The views from Brean Down are stunning, whether west over the Severn Estuary, east to Brent Knoll and the Somerset Levels or north to the resort of Weston-superMare.

The imposing and fun Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare adds to the excitement of visiting this traditional seaside town and contrasts with the Victorian pier at Clevedon and Britain’s shortest pier at Burnham-on-Sea. These and the many other attractions across Somerset offer a variety of activities, it is always best to check what is open before setting out, take a look at www.visitsomerset. co.uk/things-to-do/attractions.

background as to how we live today.

Inland, there is no shortage of options for families wishing to spend time together. In the south of the county, the Haynes International Motor Museum and the Fleet Air Arm Museum both offer stunning collections and the chance to learn more about our shared history of how machines of many kinds have influenced how we go about our lives.

Somerset has a rich agricultural and farming history and the Rural Life Museum at Glastonbury is an enjoyable educational experience for the whole family, a step back in time maybe, with the famous Glastonbury Tor visible from the courtyard.

Our county has a remarkable number of museums, each with a unique glimpse of the world and activities around us and a

It has been an unusual year for events, however as we look through the next few months, some adaptations have been made to ensure some usual favourites are available. Pantomimes are being produced in a variety of ways with a combination of seats at venues along with live transmissions, venues include the McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater and Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. For more ideas take a look at www. visitsomerset.co.uk/ festivals-events/.

There is even a car park panto and Horrible Histories production at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet on Dec 22nd – cannot wait!

As we peer towards 2021, we are sure that Somerset will continue to be a fun and varied place for families to enjoy.

For more ideas take a look at www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Book first at new Somerset library service somerset libraries have rolled out a new orderand-collect service giving customers access to library books while staying safely socially distanced.

Libraries have been opening over the last few weeks in phases across the county and offering the new service, with the final four – Chard, Cheddar, Glastonbury and Martock libraries – now open.

With the exception of Taunton Library visitors are not able to browse the shelves just yet, the new look service does allow people to use an online request form to receive a selection of up to 10 books, DVDs or Talking Books which staff pick out for customers, based on the types of authors or genres that interest them.

Somerset residents have also been making use of the popular public computers available in libraries.

Computers need to be prebooked and are available for one-hour slots, with time built in for cleaning.

And the libraries online events and activities for families available every day have proved popular – including story-times, performances and activities as part of the 2020 Summer Reading Challenge – delivered this year by ‘The Silly Squad’. Visit www. somersetlibraries.co.uk for information or find ‘Somerset Libraries UK’ on Facebook.

Library staff have also been busy creating a range of videos for grown-ups too; such as nature walks, a gardening club, cookery tips and tips to help with health and wellbeing.

What’s more, anyone who is a member of Somerset

Libraries can also download audiobooks, magazines, books, comics and access other online services such as Ancestry UK. Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Libraries, said: “It’s great to see people returning to the library service using the new order-and -collect service and coming in to make use of the public computers.

Our communities have really got behind the new service and our growing online activities.

I’d also like to thank our library staff for the innovative ways they are delivering library services which means so much to so many in these unusual of times.”

The mobile library is also back on the road and details of where and when the stops are can be found on the Somerset Libraries website pages.

Customers can return any items currently on loan to a library, but they are encouraged not to make an unnecessary journey to do this.

All current loans that would have been due back during the lockdown period have been extended, and any overdue charges that customers might have incurred as a result of library closures due to COVID-19 have been waived.

The order-and collect request form is available via the Somerset Libraries website – www. somersetlibraries.co.uk or by contacting librariesmail@ somerset.gov.uk. Somerset Libraries are also contactable by telephone on 0300 123 2224.

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You can still enjoy Pantomime at the The Octagon Theatre,Yeovil when Nurse Nellie saves Christmas 11 December 3 January.

Your Guide to Family & Children’s Shows We have tried to give as up to date picture as we can, but in the current circumstances things can change at short notice. We advise you to book in advance and then check again before you go. Many theatres are showing films as well, check out their websites.

The McMillan Theatre Box Office 01278 556677 Lower Bath Road, Bridgwater

Aladdin

comedy and song. At 7.30pm, tickets £30, £32, Meet and Greet £60.

Octagon Theatre Box Office 01935 422884

December 18 - 29 Aladdin’s life changes forever with just a rub of a magic lamp. A glittering production featuring a fabulous cast, live band, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses for all the family to enjoy. Times vary, tickets £18, children £15, family £60.

Act Two Saturday January 30 Strictly Come Dancing’s Ian Waite and Vincent Simone (below) promise an evening of old-fashioned variety - dance,

Hendford, Yeovil

Nurse Nellie Saves Panto!

Dec 11 - 13; 18 - 24; 26 30; Jan 1 - 3 Fun-sized festive treat for the whole family starring the regular panto stars whilst keeping everyone safe. When a baddie steals the joy of pantomime, will Nurse Nellie and her friends manage to rescue it? Oh yes they will!

Featuring favourite panto moments. Times vary, tickets £15 - £19.50. Reduced number of tickets so early booking advisable.

Pop Princesses Sunday February 14 A Magical show where beautiful Princesses become Pop Stars, children’s pop concert with hits from female singers, films and musicals.

At 6pm, ticket £18 - £26.

The Amazing Bubble Man Monday February 15 Louis Pearl explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized.

At 2pm, tickets £13, children £11.50, family £46..

The Playhouse Box Office 01934 645544 Weston-super-Mare

Sleeping Beauty December 12 - January 3 Mischievous forces will be at play when a far from sleepy production of the classic fairytale is brought to life in traditional pantomime style.

A scaled down Pantomime, to allow for social distancing within the cast and crew and with no interval intended, there should be no or minimal queuing for the front of house facilities. All tickets £20 plus optional donation.

Giovanni Pernice: This Is Me Tuesday February 23 Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice lights up the stage with a cast of professional dancers. At 7.30pm.

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Bristol Hippodrome Box Office 0844 871 3012 St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol

Slava’s Snow Show November 24 - 28 Filled with heart, humour and stunning spectacle, a multisensory delight in a dream-like world which will touch both your heart and funny bone. At 7.30pm, tickets from £13.

Sing-A-Long-A The Greatest Showman Wednesday January 6 The words on the screen give you the chance to sing along as you watch the film. The live host will teach everyone a unique set of dance moves, show you how to use the interactive prop bags, and get you to practice your cheers, boos and even a few wolf whistles. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential. For 5 year olds and above at 7pm, tickets from £16.50.

Brewhouse Box Office 01823 283244 Coal Orchard, Taunton

The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness!

December 23 A celebration of everything Christmassy, from fir trees and fairy lights, to sleigh bells and snowflakes, crackers, carols and more. Meet a snowman who lives in the

Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat when they pick up some hitch-hikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK – it snaps in two… just as the hungry dragon appears! For 3 year olds and above, Times vary, tickets from £13.

Act Two fridge, take part in a festive hide-and-seek with some naughty elves, play hunt the brussel sprout, endure the world’s worst Christmas jumper and gaze at the “beautiful” Christmas fairy.

For 5 year olds and above at 2.30 & 6.30pm. Tickets from £15, family from £50.

Room on the Broom January 26 & 27

Sunday January 31 As McMillan. At 2.30 & 7.30pm, tickets from £31, VIP from £57.

6 year olds and above, tickets from £11, family from £36.

Puss in Boots Tuesday March 2 When Felix, the miller’s youngest son, strikes out to earn his fortune accompanied by his cat, he surely didn’t expect to fall into a whirlwind adventure full of kings and their courts, beautiful princesses and ogres in their castles and yet, that’s exactly where they find themselves.

Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre Box Office 01823 414141 School Road, Taunton

The Fire Catcher

Unbelievable Science Saturday February 13 Morgan and West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this family fun, science extravaganza.

Expect explosive thrills and chemical spills at 2.30pm. For

Escape the clutches of Burke and Hare and move to the groove with party Queen Victoria. It’s the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in. For 5 year olds and above at 2 & 4.30pm, tickets from £16, children from £13, family from £50.

For 4 year olds and above at 11.30am. Tickets from £9.50.

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain Sunday November 29

Sunday October 25 Coyote is fast, fearless, cunning and kind. She doesn’t like being cold so she decides to steal fire and give it to the world. She doesn’t like Narrators either, they are boring, so imagine her surprise when she finds a Narrator telling her story.

For 3 year olds and above at 2.30pm, tickets £9, children £7, family £26.

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Bookstore

Star Read

A good story can really envelop you, making you forget everything else. You might even take a while to work out where you are when you stop reading. Really good stories can stay with you long after you have finished reading. Here are some of the ones that I have escaped into recently. Give them a try!

Debbie

The Goody - Lauren Child (Orchard Hb, £12.99) Chirton was a very good child who always did good things even without being told. His sister, Myrtle, was the opposite, definitely not good. One day it dawned on Chirton that being good meant he did things he didn’t necessarily want to because it was expected of him whereas the same things were not expected of Myrtle. This meant she didn’t have to do things she didn’t want to, which wasn’t fair. Wondering what was so good about being a goody, Chirton decided to try things Myrtle’s way which was OK for a while. Meanwhile Myrtle was discovering there could be some advantage to being good sometimes. Perhaps there was a compromise to be made to make them both happy. Find out in this amusing, thought provoking picture book with colourful illustrations adding to the impact of the story. Large print and a few sentences on each page aid new readers.

adapted by Peter Bently (Hodder Hb, £12.99) Jemima and Jeremy were lucky to have a clever inventor for a father. Using his skills he did up an old racing car making it look great. They named it Chitty Chitty Bang Bang after the noises she made.

On their first ride out they discovered it wasn’t just dad’s skill that got her going, there was definitely something magical about her, like being able to steer herself, fly and turn into a speedboat amongst other things. These came in very useful as she took them on a great adventure involving some robbers and dangerous chases. This is a lovely picture book version of the famous story with just a few sentences on each page and vivid illustrations adding details to the story and making it accessible to younger and less able readers.

Text © D J Williams 2020

Robin Hood - Robert Muchamore

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(Hot Key Books, £6.99) The closure of its car plant has reduced the once prosperous town of Locksley to a poverty stricken one with empty homes and toxic land. The underworld boss, Guy Gisborne is doing well out of it, able to control local authorities and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin, his brother Little John and their dad try to live as best they can until his dad is framed for a robbery. Whilst trying to stop his dad being brutally arrested, Robin injures Guy and escapes to Sherwood Forest with John to avoid arrest himself. He usually avoids the forest as it is home to various dangerous groups living outside the law, but news of what he has done impresses them. Narrowly escaping capture and separated from John, Robin forms alliances with some of the outlaws. They help in his quest to free his father and find his brother, who has had a shocking revelation himself. There are lots of heart stopping moments in this exciting, fast paced adventure, a modern day take on the legendary story with plenty of interesting characters. First in a new series. Fair size print, medium length novel.

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Indicates a book is part of a series

The Soup Movement Ben Davis (Oxford, £6.99)

It all started with a flask of soup.

Recovering from cancer and weakened by recurring nightmares Jordan is having difficulty adapting to a new life in the country. Missing old friends he finds it hard to make new ones so is pleased to be invited to go for chips with a bunch of the ‘cool’ boys. One of them isn’t so friendly and shockingly is nasty to Harry, a homeless man in the park. As an apology to Harry, Jordan gives him the soup his mother had made, not wanting to waste it. Thinking about it Jordan realises it helps him keep a promise he’d made to someone to help others with acts of mitzvahs, so he makes it a regular event taking extra soup for other homeless people Harry knows. This escalates and with the help of his sister and her blog starts the ‘Soup Movement’ solving problems for the homeless with lots of others getting involved. It changes many lives, including his own. As present events unfold, past ones are revealed showing how they have influenced Jordan.

This is a totally absorbing story, highlighting many issues as well as the plight of homeless in a way that really draws you in. There are some emotional scenes cleverly mixed with amusing ones leaving an overall optimistic feel. It is a gripping read with much to keep you thinking about long after you have finished reading. Full length novel for competent readers.

Mohinder’s War

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Ian Fleming,

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Bali Rai (Bloomsbury, £6.99) At the funeral of Mo, Simpreet’s beloved great grandfather, she meets Joelle, an old French lady.

Talking to her, Simpreet finds out about Mo’s amazing war exploits, which we experience through flashbacks. An RAF pilot, Mo’s plane crashed into occupied France and was luckily rescued and hidden by Joelle and her parents. Members of the French resistance, they look after him until they are tragically betrayed and it is Mo’s turn to save Joelle in an extremely dangerous escape back to England. This is a very atmospheric read full of breathtaking moments that really envelop you. You feel the danger with the characters and understand the terrible emotions they experience. It will keep you gripped throughout. Medium length novel.

My Teacher is an Evil Genius Jack Noel (Walker, £6.99) The pupils of Belton Primary are surprised when a new headteacher turns up out of the blue.

Making a Hollywood style entrance in a stretch limo, Ms Fortune announces big plans for the school. She replaces all the teachers and wins the pupils round with goody bag. But Tom, an observant girl, finds Ms Fortune’s actions suspicious: setting pupils on each other and building a new gym and library that the children aren’t allowed to use. Strangely, Toms new braces start picking up messages from Ms Fortune to her associates on their walkie talkies which prove her selfish plans have nothing to do with helping the school. Can Tom and an increasing group of victimised pupils reveal Ms Fortune in her true colours and stop her escaping with all the money she has raised? This is a highly entertaining story with lots of laugh out loud mixed with exciting moments. With fair sized print and some pictures it is good for newly developing readers.

Moon Dog - Janet Elson (Hodder, £6.99)

Marcus is unhappy. His mum has run off, his dad just hides away and he hasn’t made any friends at this new school. Delilah is small but fiercely determined and is also unhappy at home with no dad and an over fussy mum.

Despite seemingly being very different they are both unhappy and share a love of dogs, each wanting to own one, which leads to a friendship. Marcus is surprised when a lovely dog starts appearing at odd times in the garden next door. He calls him Moon Dog and soon befriends him. It is strange because the house is empty and for sale, but two men are in it whenever Moon Dog is there and the ‘for sale’ sign is taken down only to go back up again when they leave. It’s a mystery and one that Marcus and Delilah want to solve. They end up uncovering a nasty secret that has devastating consequences and puts Moon Dog at great risk. Will they be brave enough to save him and expose the horrible business being carried out without risking their lives? This is a gripping story very sad in parts but uplifting in others. It shows the importance of caring for friends both human and animal. Marcus and Delilah take turns to narrate chapters giving an intimate window engaging us in their thoughts. Although it is a fictional story, sadly it is based on real life and will hopefully make everyone think twice about where they buy a pet and what to look out for. Fair size print, medium length novel.

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valour

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Ally Carter (Orchard, £6.99) Living in many different homes, April is used to looking after herself. But she has never lived in anything like Winterborne Home. Everyone is friendly, the four other orphans seem to be skilled in different ways and she almost feels like she has a family for the first time. While there she hopes to find what the key with the Wnterborne crest her mother left her will open. The Winterborne family has a sad history. All but the youngest son, Gabriel, died in an accident at sea and then he disappeared 10 years ago. The house itself is full of mystery - who is the strange figure that stalks it after dark and why did he steal April’s key?

What secrets are Uncle Evert and Ms Nelson hiding and do they really want to find Gabriel? Could the legend of the scary Sentinel be real and are the children in mortal peril? This is a powerfully written, atmospheric story with many twists. It is totally absorbing, you feel you are living it with the characters. As the identity of the stranger is revealed events escalate at such a pace you will be left breathless, but you won’t be able to stop reading. I couldn’t! Full length novel for older juniors, first in a new series.

Stir Up Sunday Stir-up Sunday is traditionally the day Christmas puddings are made when wishes are said to come true.

This year it falls on 22 November.

What is it?

Like a lot of other Christmas traditions, Stir up Sunday goes back to Victorian times when the family would gather together to stir the Christmas pudding five weeks before Christmas. The opening words of the Book of Common Prayer read on this Sunday before Advent at church are ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord’, and so the tradition stands that this is the day to get stirring.

Tradition has it that: • Christmas puddings would contain 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his disciples.

• It is traditionally stirred (while making a wish) by each member of the family from East to West, to remember the Wise Men that visited Jesus in the Nativity Story.

• The traditional garnish of holly represented the crown of thorns (be warned the holly berry is very toxic, so perhaps it is best to use fake foliage).

• Adding coins, originally charms, to the pudding was said to bring luck if you found them in your pudding on Christmas Day. The traditional lucky charms were a silver coin for wealth, a wishbone for luck, a thimble for thrift, a ring

for marriage, and an anchor for safe harbour. Biting on to such a thing could well cause a trip to the dentist with a cracked tooth, so it is best to look carefully before you take a bite.

Why not have a go with our tasty recipe?

It is really easy to make your own Christmas Pudding and fun for the whole family to join in with. There are a variety of recipes, this is one passed down in my family that I make every year. It’s very simple, just weigh out ingredients and mix, and is absolutely delicious! ingredients: 115gms margarine; 115gms demerara sugar; 2 beaten eggs, 145gms each of raisins, currants, sultanas; 60gms each of mixed peel, chopped almonds and glace cherries, cut into quarters; 115 gms plain flour sieved with 1/2 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp mixed spice; grated rind and juice of 1 orange; 2 tablespoons orange marmalade; 1 small apple peeled, cored and grated; 1 tablespoon milk or stout; 30ml brandy or sherry Method: Place all the ingredients, except the brandy, in a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until well mixed. Cover and leave to stand for 24 hours. Stir in the brandy and place the mixture in a greased 1 litre pudding basin. Cover with a double thickness of greaseproof paper or foil. Place in a steamer, cover and steam for 4 to 5 hours.

Steam for another 2 to 3 hours on the day before serving.

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News Round

Information for Teachers, Parents and Carers

Virtual school library THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL has launched the National Literacy Trust’s Virtual School Library, part of a new digital initiative to support the literacy of children who have been most adversely affected

by COVID-19.

The Virtual School Library will help primary schools give children access to books all year round, while the new Words for Life platform will help families support their children’s literacy at home.

The websites are packed with free books, fun activities and exclusive author content.

Research has shown that

Self respect

1 in 10 schools in England do not have a school library and almost 1 in 4 children did not have access to books of their own or library books during lockdown.

The Virtual library will open up access to stories for every primary school child in the UK, while complementing existing school libraries. It will ensure children always have access to the magical world of stories whether they are learning at school or home.

Every week a popular children’s author or illustrator

Avoiding scammers ACCORDING to research, nearly 70% of parents have been, or know someone who has been, a target of a fraudulent email or text, yet the majority are still opening themselves up to some serious threats by not installing antivirus software on their devices.

Families researching holidays are a key target for cybercriminals, who will target parents on the lookout for tempting discounts or last minute competitions that can turn out to be nasty scams.

Here are some tips for staying safe when planning holidays from a smart device: • Watch out for phishing email attacks

will provide free books, exclusive videos and their top three recommended reads.

Go to www.wordsforlife. org.uk/virtual-schoollibrary/ where resources are available and you can sign up to receive their newsletter.

claiming “you have won a holiday” •

Beware of holidays deals that look too good to be true, especially on social media

•

If you haven’t visited a company’s website before, do your homework and research reviews and comments from trusted review sites

•

Don’t buy online unless you see the golden padlock on the payments page, and a web address beginning with ‘https’

•

Download and install protection to all your devices, including smartphones and tablets, to protect your family’s devices against viruses.

teAChING children about personal safety and what is appropriate behaviour is not easy.You don’t want to scare them, but you want them to be aware of dangers they could face and how to deal with them. Having self respect is very important, but again, it can be hard to know how to approach the subject. A new book by Rachel Brian called Respect is a very useful way to help children understand about boundaries; practicing consent; building strong friendships and getting help.

With chapter headings of ‘You Rule’; ‘’Trust Your Gut’; ‘Giving and Getting Consent’; ‘Thanks but No Thanks’; ‘Grow Healthy Relationships’; ‘Reflect’ and ‘Ways to Help’ it shows situations related to each and how to deal with them. Presented in comic book form makes it easy for children to follow. This is a very informative and useful book, published by Wren and Rook, which approaches potentially difficult subjects in a friendly, non alarming way. A great way for parents to start important discussions.

Tackling nature deficiency the NAtIONAL tRUSt is aiming to tackle ‘nature deficiency’ after a report showed a high percentage of adults and children have low levels of daily access to nature, rarely watching clouds, butterflies or bees or listening to birdsong.Those who regularly notice and connect with nature are far more likely to act to help tackle the nature crisis, and there is growing evidence of links between wellbeing and connections with nature.

The Trust’s Year of Action includes a weekly guide to every day nature connection. It encourages bite-size activities, taking from only 20 seconds to 20 minutes, which can be easily squeezed into busy, daily life to help people connect and take action that, collectively, can halt nature’s decline. They have identified seven key, yet simple, ‘noticing nature’ activities that were strongly linked with taking action to help nature.These are watching wildlife; listening to birdsong; smelling wildflowers; taking a photo or drawing or painting a

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picture of a natural view, plant, flower or animal; taking time to notice butterflies and bees; watching the sun rise and watching clouds.

Simple things such as putting food out for birds and wild animals, making homes for wildlife, planting pollinator plants and picking up litter can all help nature.

Research shows children were more likely to report feeling happy if they had a higher level of nature connectedness; engaged in meaningful activities linked to nature such as writing songs or poetry about nature or celebrating natural events; and relaxing in nature (e.g. sitting and relaxing in a garden).

They were less likely to report feeling happy if they avoided nature (spent time indoors); showed annoyance linked to nature (for example, complained about pigeons, seagulls or wasps) and said they felt they were less connected to nature than they were one year ago.

The conservation charity is also encouraging people to make a promise to help nature, see www. nationaltrust.org.uk/promise-for-nature for more ideas and tips on how to spend time in nature.

trust properties Visiting national are at

st properties Most National Tru ers, with limited numb least partly open . see ed ok -bo must be pre but a timed entry ls. tai de for s ’s website individual property

Toy library in DANGER The future of the Frome Toy Library is hanging in the balance.

Its organisers, Purple Elephant, are facing possible closure in less than two months if a relatively small amount of money cannot be found to save it.

This vital, non-profit community service, which has been running for over 30 years, needs modest funds to run its all yearround home-lending toy service as well as its weekly play-and-stay sessions but the current climate means the company must now turn to the local businesses of the town to ask if they would help.

As well as play sessions the library has on site support workers offering advice to sometimes isolated or overwhelmed young

parents, it offers practical support as well as the health benefits of social interaction and friendship for adults and little ones.

During lockdown The Frome Toy Library team, run alongside Frome Children’s Festival were dedicated to serving the local community and, in total, provided in excess of 1,200 free play and creativity gift packs to 800 local, vulnerable families. The gifts and resources were handed out with free school meals and family food-bank parcels with the remainder delivered directly to shielding families.

In the summer holidays the organisation provided a full 6 weeks of sociallydistanced, free Holiday Activity sessions for local families in need of support. Taking place 3 times a week in socially-distanced

outdoor spaces, the activities numbered 280 pre-booked places, available at 36 sessions to many of Frome’s most vulnerable families.

Any company or individual interested in sponsoring the library can go to www. fromechildrensfestival.org for details.

Lucy’s Law promises a safe environment the recent lockdown has seen a rise in pet ownership some of which may have been purchased online, possibly from puppy farmers. After much campaigning by a number of animal welfare campaigners the Government has decided to back a new law called Lucy’s Law which came into force in April.

The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from a puppy farm where she was subjected to terrible conditions. This new law requires animals to be born and reared in a safe environment, with their mother, and to be sold from their place of birth. It makes it illegal for commercial dealers to sell puppies and kittens unless they have bred the animals themselves.

Anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must deal directly with the breeder or animal rehoming centre. They should always ask to see puppies and kittens interacting with their mothers in their place of birth, looking out for warning signs and reporting any suspicious activity.

It is hoped that the law will slow the online trade of puppies and kittens, but it is also important for the public to be made aware of this growing problem. According to research from the Kennel Club in September 2018, almost one in three puppies bought online became ill or died in their first year.

The government has committed to supporting tougher sentences for animal cruelty, raising maximum prison sentences from six months to five years. It has also pledged to bring in new laws on animal sentience and to end excessively long journeys for live animals.

You can get more information by going to the gov.uk website and searching for ‘Lucy’s Law’.

Carnival time goes online! not surprisingly all this year’s Somerset carnivals have all been postponed, but all is not lost.

Anyone worried about missing their annual carnival ‘fix’ have a treat in store on Saturday 7 November, the night the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, the largest on the circuit, would have been held.

The organisers are showing a ‘best of the best’ virtual carnival live on www.bridgwatercarnival.org. uk from 6pm. The two hour film will celebrate the best 90 entries to have taken part in the carnival between 1982 and 2019 – the years when the carnival has officially been filmed.

Those featured have been specially selected by the entries and carnivalites themselves. This gives regular carnival fans a chance to reminisce and anyone who hasn’t been (why not?) a chance to see what they are missing from the comfort of their own home.

What is more, everyone then has the chance to download the CarniApp and vote for their favourite by 30 November to see which cart is voted the best ever entry.

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Somerset Covid Checker Checklist to help Somerset parents launched Somerset’s Coronavirus Engagement Board has launched a new checklist to help parents know what to do if their child starts to display Coronavirus symptoms; tests positive; someone in their household displays symptoms or a household member tests positive.

Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health at Somerset County Council, said: “As cases of Coronavirus increase nationally and across Somerset, it’s incredibly important we all know what to do if we start to show symptoms. This Somerset Covid Checker is a great way for parents to know what action to take if their child starts to display symptoms.”

“Firstly, it’s important that you

and your household self-isolate and book a test if anyone shows symptoms. Please do not have a test unless you have symptoms and if you can’t get a local test slot, please keep trying online or phoning 119 as local slots do become available throughout the day.”

“Secondly, it’s important you continue to self-isolate from the moment you display symptoms until you have the test result – and if it’s positive, you need to continue self-isolating for ten days from the start of your symptoms, and the rest of your household 14 days.

Only if it’s a negative test result or your self-isolation time is complete can your child return to school.”

“Please remember that until there is a vaccine, the only way we have to stop this virus spreading is to think ‘Hands, Face and Space’. Wash your hands with soap and water often and at least 20 seconds, wear a face covering if you can and please keep your distance from others.”

Go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/ coronavirus-covid-19/ for further information.

If you need any Coronavirus related support or advice, phone the Somerset Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275, available seven days a week.